Brett Helquist lives in New York City. He was born in the town of Gonado, Arizona, and grew up in Orem, Utah. Brett went to Brigham Young University where he earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts. He has been an illustrator ever since. Helquist's art has been in many publications, including the magazine Cricket and The New York Times.

Note: On the last illustration in each Lemony Snicket book, Brett Helquist draws in some item of importance to the next book of the series, such as the snake on the last page of The Bad Beginning. This relates to the many snakes in the second book, The Reptile Room. See if you can find them all...